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A cyclonic filter separator system, as well as alternatives, suitable for use as liquid block apparatus integrated into a sample probe that is inserted into the pressurized process to prevent entrained liquids from entering the probe and being extracted for sampling is provided. The present inventio

A cyclonic filter separator system, as well as alternatives, suitable for use as liquid block apparatus integrated into a sample probe that is inserted into the pressurized process to prevent entrained liquids from entering the probe and being extracted for sampling is provided. The present invention enhances sampling of pressurized process fluids for on-stream and spot sampling of pressurized process fluid such as natural gas or the like, particularly pressurized process gas having liquid entrained therein, or otherwise referenced as multiphase or “wet”.

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1. A device for sampling a fluid in a fluid stream, comprising: a first liquid block comprising a cyclonic separator mounted to a probe tip having an opening to receive incoming fluid from the fluid stream, said cyclonic separator having an internal geometry formed to facilitate cyclonic flow for th

1. A device for sampling a fluid in a fluid stream, comprising: a first liquid block comprising a cyclonic separator mounted to a probe tip having an opening to receive incoming fluid from the fluid stream, said cyclonic separator having an internal geometry formed to facilitate cyclonic flow for the separation of liquid from said incoming fluid, and facilitate the passage of gas therethrough, said cyclonic separator further comprising:a mounting section having first and second ends, said first end formed to engage a probe, a second end forming an insert having a geometrical configuration, and therebetween a base having an outer diameter, and a seal situated between said base and said first end;a sleeve having first and second ends, said first end having a cylindrical cavity formed therein having an inner diameter formed to slidingly engage the outer diameter of said base and said seal, said cylindrical cavity formed to envelope said insert so as to provide a fluid passage therebetween, said insert having a first aperture to allow fluid flow from said fluid stream into said fluid passage and a second passage from said fluid passage to said fluid stream, and a conical portion associated with said second end of said sleeve for receiving fluid flow from said fluid passage;wherein a portion of fluid passing into said fluid passage from said first aperture is directed to said conical portion so as to facilitate cyclonic separation of liquid from gas, said sleeve formed to drain said liquid and flow said gas therefrom. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said insert is exchangeable so as to change said geometrical configuration to selectively alter fluid flow patterns thereabout or therethrough. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said insert is formed to be exchangeable to select an appropriate size and scale, depending on the application. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said geometry of said cyclonic separator comprises a lower, conical chamber having a liquid drain formed therethrough. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said device comprises an insertion probe. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein there is provided a coalescing element mounted to said probe downstream said cyclonic separator. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein there is provided a pressure reducer downstream said coalescing element. 8. The device of claim 5, wherein there is provided a second liquid block mounted to said probe downstream said cyclonic separator. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said second liquid block comprises a moveable body having a profile formed to engage a seal whereby, upon a mass of liquid flowing into said liquid block, said moveable body sealingly engages said seal, preventing the flow of said liquid mass therethrough. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein said first liquid block is situated at the distal end of said probe and said probe comprises an insertion probe. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein said distal end forms an extension of said probe. 12. The device of claim 9, wherein said seal comprises gasket material. 13. The device of claim 9, wherein said seal comprises an o-ring. 14. The device of claim 9, wherein said moveable body of said second liquid block comprises a rotating ball, and said seal comprises a wiper seal, said rotating ball formed to engage said wiper seal upon the liquid flowing therein, so as to block the flow of liquid therethrough. 15. The device of claim 9, wherein said second liquid block comprises a solenoid actuated door formed to prevent the flow of liquid through said liquid block, said actuated door actuated by a liquid sensor. 16. The device according to claim 9, wherein said second liquid block comprises a flow enclosure having an inner wall, said flow enclosure having a geometry formed to resist the passage of liquid therethrough. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said flow enclosure geometry comprises first and second barriers emanating from said inner wall. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein said first and second barriers comprises shelves. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein said probe is formed for insertion into said pipe via a process valve connection. 20. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid stream is situated in a pipe having an inner wall and wherein said device comprises an insertion probe selectively insertable in said pipe so as to retrieve a sample of gas therefrom. 21. The device of claim 20, wherein said probe is formed for insertion into said pipe via a double block and bleed installation. 22. The device of claim 1, wherein said internal geometry of said cyclonic separator is in the form of an inverted frustoconical chamber having a drain formed therethrough. 23. The device of claim 2, wherein there is provided a coalescing element mounted to said probe downstream said cyclonic separator. 24. The device of claim 23, wherein there is provided a pressure reducer downstream said coalescing element. 25. The device of claim 24, wherein there is provided a second liquid block device mounted to said probe downstream said cyclonic separator. 26. A method of separating a gas from a gas/liquid flow, comprising the steps of: a. providing a cyclonic separator mounted to a probe tip having an opening to receive a fluid stream comprising gas having liquid therein from said gas/liquid flow, said cyclonic separator having an internal geometry formed to facilitate cyclonic flow, said cyclonic separator further comprising a mounting section having first and second ends, said first end formed to engage a probe, a second end forming an insert having a geometrical configuration, and therebetween a base having an outer diameter, and a seal situated between said base and said first end;a sleeve having first and second ends, said first end having a cylindrical cavity formed therein having an inner diameter formed to slidingly engage the outer diameter of said base and said seal, said cylindrical cavity formed to envelope said insert so as to provide a fluid passage therebetween, said insert having a first aperture to allow fluid flow from said fluid stream into said fluid passage and a second passage from said fluid passage to said fluid stream, and a conical portion associated with said second end of said sleeve for receiving fluid flow from said fluid passage;wherein a portion of fluid passing into said fluid passage from said first aperture is directed to said conical portion so as to facilitate cyclonic separation of liquid from gas, said sleeve formed to drain said liquid and flow said gas therefrom;b. flowing said fluid stream into said cyclonic separator,c. allowing said internal geometry of said cyclonic separator to facilitate formation of a cyclone therein;d. using said cyclone to facilitate separation of liquid from said fluid stream;e. draining said liquid, while facilitating the passage of gas therethrough. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein in step “b” said fluid stream comprises gas having entrained liquid. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein in step “a” there is further provided the step “a1” of providing a coalescing element downstream said cyclonic separator, and after step “e” there is provided the added step “f” of flowing said gas through said coalescing element, capturing said entrained liquid therein, and providing dry gas to the sample stream. 29. The method of claim 26, wherein in step “a” said insert is selected from a group of inserts depending on the application, each of said inserts having a different geometry so as to selectively alter fluid patterns thereabout or therethrough. 30. The method of claim 26, wherein in step “a” said insert is selected from a group of inserts, so as to provide appropriate size and scale depending on the application. 31. A method of sampling a process gas stream having entrained liquid therein, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a cyclonic separator to an insertion probe, said cyclonic separator further comprising a mounting section having first and second ends, said first end formed to engage a probe, a second end forming an insert having a geometrical configuration, and therebetween a base having an outer diameter, and a seal situated between said base and said first end;a sleeve having first and second ends, said first end having a cylindrical cavity formed therein having an inner diameter formed to slidingly engage the outer diameter of said base and said seal, said cylindrical cavity formed to envelope said insert so as to provide a fluid passage therebetween, said insert having a first aperture to allow fluid flow from said fluid stream into said fluid passage and a second passage from said fluid passage to said fluid stream, and a conical portion associated with said second end of said sleeve for receiving fluid flow from said fluid passage;wherein a portion of fluid passing into said fluid passage from said first aperture is directed to said conical portion so as to facilitate cyclonic separation of liquid from gas, said sleeve formed to drain said liquid and flow said gas therefrom;b. inserting said insertion probe into the process gas stream having entrained liquid therein;c. allowing a partial flow of a said process gas stream having entrained liquid therein to pass through said cyclonic separator, providing a sample flow;d. diverting a portion of said sample flow to a cyclonic chamber in said cyclonic separator;e. allowing said sample flow to interact with said cyclonic chamber to form a cyclone;f. using said cyclone to separate liquid from said sample flow, providing a separated sample flow;g. draining said liquid into said process gas stream. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein there is further provided added step “h” of flowing said separated sample flow through a liquid block. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein there is further provided added step “i” of flowing said separated sample flow through a coalescing element. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein there is further provided the added step “j” of flowing said separated sample flow through a pressure reducer, providing a reduced pressure, separated sample flow. 35. The method of claim 33, wherein there is further provided the added step “k” of flowing said reduced pressure, separated sample flow to an analyzer. 36. The method of claim 31, wherein in step “a” said insert is selected from a group of inserts depending on the application, each of said inserts having a different geometry so as to selectively alter fluid patterns thereabout or therethrough. 37. The method of claim 31, wherein in step “a” said insert is selected from a group of inserts, so as to provide an appropriate size and scale depending on the application. 38. A modular cyclonic separator, comprising: a mounting section having first and second ends, said first end formed to engage a probe, a second end forming an insert having a geometrical configuration, and therebetween a base having an outer diameter, and a seal situated between said base and said first end;a sleeve having first and second ends, said first end having a cavity formed therein having an inner diameter formed to slidingly engage the outer diameter of said base and said seal, said cavity formed to envelope said insert so as to provide a fluid passage therebetween, said insert having a first aperture to allow fluid flow from said fluid stream into said fluid passage and a second passage from said fluid passage to said fluid stream, and a conical portion associated with said second end of said sleeve for forming a cyclone chamber formed to receive fluid flow from said fluid passage;wherein a portion of fluid passing into said fluid passage from said first aperture is directed to said conical portion so as to facilitate cyclonic separation of liquid from gas, said sleeve formed to drain said liquid and flow said gas therefrom; andwherein said insert is formed to be exchangeable to provide an appropriate size and scale depending on the application. 39. The device of claim 38, wherein said insert is exchangeable so as to change said geometrical configuration to selectively alter fluid flow patterns thereabout or therethrough.